Brassiere Market

The brassiere market is expected to see steady growth, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% in volume and +3.6% in value from 2022 to 2030. The United States leads in consumption, while China dominates production and export. The Netherlands stands out for per capita consumption growth. Import prices remained relatively stable, with Germany having the highest price and Indonesia the lowest. Overall, the industry shows positive growth trends and stable fluctuations in prices and volumes over the analyzed period.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for brassieres worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.1B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $28.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Brassieres

In 2022, approx. 4.7B units of brassieres were consumed worldwide; declining by -3.4% on the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 9%. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 5.4B units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global brassiere market value reduced slightly to $21.5B in 2022, dropping by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the market value increased by 8.6% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $23.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The United States (658M units) remains the largest brassiere consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 14% of total volume. Moreover, brassiere consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (304M units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (268M units), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States amounted to +2.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+4.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+24.5% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($2.6B), India ($2.4B) and the Netherlands ($1.2B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 29% share of the global market.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +24.3%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of brassiere per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (15 units per person), followed by the United States (2 units per person), the UK (1.6 units per person) and France (1.3 units per person), while the world average per capita consumption of brassiere was estimated at 0.6 units per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the brassiere per capita consumption in the Netherlands amounted to +24.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (+1.4% per year) and the UK (-2.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Brassieres

In 2022, the amount of brassieres produced worldwide fell modestly to 6.1B units, reducing by -4.7% compared with the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 6.4B units, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, brassiere production declined slightly to $25.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $29.8B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of brassiere production was China (2.9B units), accounting for 47% of total volume. Moreover, brassiere production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Bangladesh (309M units), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (304M units), with a 5% share.

In China, brassiere production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Bangladesh (+7.6% per year) and India (+3.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Brassieres

Global brassiere imports totaled 2.8B units in 2022, stabilizing at 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 24%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, brassiere imports amounted to $10.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The United States was the key importer of brassieres in the world, with the volume of imports recording 665M units, which was near 24% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (154M units), achieving a 5.5% share of total imports. France (126M units), the UK (121M units), the Netherlands (98M units), Japan (96M units), Indonesia (89M units), Italy (89M units), Thailand (70M units), China (64M units), Spain (63M units), South Korea (60M units) and Malaysia (58M units) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, China (+28.2%), Malaysia (+15.2%), South Korea (+8.1%), the Netherlands (+7.7%), Italy (+4.8%), Indonesia (+4.7%), Thailand (+4.4%), Germany (+2.8%) and France (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2022. Spain and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the UK (-2.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and the Netherlands increased by +2 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($2.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported brassieres worldwide, comprising 25% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($829M), with a 7.9% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 5.4% share.

In the United States, brassiere imports increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+3.5% per year) and France (-0.6% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average brassiere import price amounted to $3.7 per unit, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 5.1% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $3.8 per unit. From 2021 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($5.4 per unit), while Indonesia ($0.5 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+2.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Brassieres

In 2022, global brassiere exports contracted to 4.2B units, waning by -2.2% against 2021 figures. In general, total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +72.1% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 29%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 4.3B units, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, brassiere exports contracted slightly to $11.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 26%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $12B, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, finishing at 2.7B units, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2022. Bangladesh (249M units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Vietnam (215M units). All these countries together held near 11% share of total exports. The following exporters - Indonesia (128M units), Sri Lanka (127M units) and Germany (67M units) - together made up 7.7% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Vietnam (+27.0%), Bangladesh (+15.3%), Sri Lanka (+6.2%), Germany (+4.6%) and Indonesia (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +27.0% from 2012-2022. China (+11 p.p.), Vietnam (+4.4 p.p.) and Bangladesh (+3.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($4.5B) remains the largest brassiere supplier worldwide, comprising 38% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($1.1B), with a 9% share of global exports. It was followed by Bangladesh, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +5.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+22.6% per year) and Bangladesh (+16.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average brassiere export price amounted to $2.8 per unit, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 1.6%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $3.6 per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($6.1 per unit), while China ($1.7 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+2.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform